The Latest Addition to Avondale Estates Is a Sprawling Farmers Market

Common Roots Farmers Market, a 12,000-square-foot neighborhood grocery with an expansive outdoor seating area and plant nursery, opens early next year in Avondale Estates.

Owned by former U.S. Foods territory manager Brock Nix, the sprawling community market will sell local produce, meats and seafood from Georgia farms, a variety of snacks, pantry provisions, and frozen goods from local food producers like Rock Hill Creamery, Pure Bliss Organics, and Piedmont Provisions, as well as coffee, beer, and fresh bread and flowers. People will apparently be offered a cup of coffee using beans from local coffee roasters upon entering Common Roots.

Located outside, a large seating area will allow customers to eat grab-and-go sandwiches and other dishes sold at the deli in the market. The menu features five sandwiches, including a muffaletta and daily specials, salads, soups from Mad Mama Gourmet, and family meals. There’s also fresh-brewed coffee and kombucha on tap.

Common Roots Farmers Market

Seasonal plants and flowers, along with pumpkins, Christmas trees, and wreaths during the holidays, will be available for sale outdoors.

When asked whether Common Roots plans to be accessible to all members of the community and offer affordable pricing, a representative speaking on behalf of Nix tells Eater the market plans to accept EBT and SNAP benefits as forms of payment. This will be listed on the website and posted on all entryways at the market. While senior citizen hours aren’t currently planned, it could be something Nix and his team consider once Common Roots is fully operational next year.

Nix, whose family owns two farmers markets in Georgia and Alabama, worked for nearly four years as a territory manager for food distributor U.S. Foods. During his time with the company, he assisted chefs and restaurants with food selections for menus, helped implement inventory technology, and provided in-house training for new employees.

In other Avondale Estates food news, Olive and Pine, a 25,000-square-feet, adaptive reuse complex just east of East College Avenue, will eventually include a large food hall; a coffee shop; sandwich shop and bakery Leftie Lee’s; a mini-mart; a Los Angeles-based burger restaurant; a cocktail bar; a co-working space and art gallery; and possibly a plant shop.

A joint venture between Tin Drum Asian Kitchen founder Steven Chan, Decatur-based Office of Design architecture firm, and Metro Green Construction, Olive and Pine is just three blocks from Wild Heaven Beer, the Lost Druid Brewery, and Little Cottage Brewery in Avondale Estates.

Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Public transport: Accessible by bus from the Kensington MARTA rail station or via MARTA bus route 115.

3409 Covington Highway, Avondale Estates. commonrootsfarmersmarket.com.

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